Earthquake resistant architecture

Photo by Aadesh Thapa on Unsplash

This was one more added, in sequence of my premonitions. The premonitory dreams, an amazing and unique in-built quality, that I am born with.

Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal
“Antique Towering Temple with fleet of stairs made of grey stone, in picturesque surroundings, as that of a hill station, lush green valleys, Vermillion shades, me rushing down the stairs of temple, in great Admiration and Awe. It was overwhelming! — dream sequence, April 2015”.

Pashupatinath Temple, this shrine considered as Hindu Precinct, is situated in Kathmandu, Nepal on the banks of sacred river “Bagmati” and is a group of temples and ashrams. Devotees visit this shrine in dedication to Lord Shiva and to reside here in last days of their life to seek Nirvana!

Exact date of its construction is not known but it is believed that it was erected around 1692 by “Licchavi” King Prachanda Deva.

The main dome is built in Pagoda style architecture and the two level of roofs are of copper and gold coverings. Temple has square base and four main doors and central sanctum sanctorum is where the Lord Shiva idol is placed. Outer sanctorum is a periphery corridor, for paying parikrama in respect(revolve/orbit around idol) for prayers.

Photo by Adli Wahid on Unsplash

After I observed this dream sequence, I was wondering where this beautiful shrine is located in India. Tried to enquire with few acquaintances who have visited most of the temples in India with the description as where such temple is located.

Finding no answers at the moment, I too was absorbed in routine work. Few weeks later heard the news of devastating earthquake in Pashupatinath Temple area in Kathmandu in Nepal, through television and media.

Never visited the shrine earlier, but through visuals I realize and it seemed the same temple out of my dream.

Photo by Bikalpa Pokhrel on Unsplash

With heavy heart, I heard the shattering news and turning of centuries old religious architecture near temple turning into rubble. Was deeply hurt!

During earthquake on April 25, 2015, many of Kathmandu’s religious architectures faced the damage and outer walls of Pashupatinath Temple faced some loss but the main temple survived due to “Heavenly protection” and “Architectural toughness”!!